Match Report
20.03.21
Excellent HSV collective performance sees off Heidenheim
Tim Leibold's first professional brace secured Hamburg their second consecutive win.
Hamburger SV entered the international break with a thorough team performance at the Volksparkstadion, returning captain Tim Leibold scoring in both halves to send a stubborn 1. FC Heidenheim back to Baden-Württemberg with empty hands on Saturday afternoon (20th March). The Rothosen were patient and precise in possession, organised and aggressive without, dominating the encounter throughout and rewarding themselves for their attacking work through Leibold's strikes early in each half.
Leibold marks return with opener
Daniel Thioune made two enforced and one tactical change to the team who had beaten Bochum over a week previously, Bobby Wood making his first start of the season for the quarantined Simon Terodde at the top of the formation. Captain Tim Leibold also returned but in a left-midfield role, and Manuel Wintzheimer in the attacking midfield role just behind Wood for the injured Dudziak. The Rothosen were aggressive and motivated from the off, limiting their guests to little possession and a number of failed counter-attacks, rewarded with the opening goal after a quarter of an hour. The ball was switched cleverly from left to right twice, finding its way back to Aaron Hunt, whose chipped, inswinging ball to the back post grazed the top of Tim Leibold's head and snuck in at the far post.
The Brenzstädter gained more of a foothold in the game after the opener, looking dangerous in space left by Hamburg on the counter but the final pass was missing to truly endanger Sven Ulreich in the Hamburg goal. The Rothosen were confident in possession, constantly changing position and unsettling their opponents, opening up the Heidenheim defence on a number of occasions. Despite their control of possession and the game, there were few clear-cut chances for the home team after the opener, the best falling to Sonny Kittel ten yards out and only with Kevin Müller to beat, the ball seemingly bobbling in front of the midfielder to see him fire over the bar.
Leibold doubles the lead early
The second half started perfectly for the Rothosen, another flowing move see Aaron Hunt play into the path of the onrushing Manuel Wintzheimer down the right-hand side. Wintzheimer drove towards Müller and squared for Tim Leibold who could tap in from six yards out for his first brace in professional football. The guests should have reduced the deficit straight from the kick-off, Tim Kleindienst's clip round the corner leaving Sven Ulreich facing two attackers, but half-time substitute Florian Pick took too long to strike at goal and the chance went begging for Frank Schmidt's men.
The Rothosen continued to play the ball around nicely, making runs off the ball and pulling the Heidenheim defence across the pitch, the accuracy of the passing ensuring that their opponents were always kept at arm's length. The guests were more aggressive without the ball entering the final quarter of an hour but were limited to two speculative long-range efforts from Busch and Schnatterer, both gathered easily by Ulreich, the HSV defence playing well as a collective to nullify Heidenheim, who had been free scoring in their past five games, and seal the win. Daniel Thioune will be hoping the majority of his squad can rest and recuperate over the international break before repeating the performance away at Hannover 96 on Sunday 4th April.
Game overview
Hamburger SV: Ulreich - Vagnoman, Ambrosius, Heyer, Gyamerah - Onana (80' Jung), Hunt (89' David) - Wintzheimer (80' Narey), Kittel, Leibold (87' Jatta) - Wood (87' Meißner)
1. FC Heidenheim: Müller - Busch, Mainka, Hüsing, Theuerkauf (69' Schimmer) - Sessa (84' Schnatterer), Schöppner, Thomalla (46' Pick), Kerschbaumer (46' Mohr) - Kleindienst, Kühlwetter
Goals: 1-0 Leibold (15'), 2-0 Leibold (50')
Spectators: unfortunately none
Referee: Christof Günsch (Marburg)
Yellow cards: - / Kleindienst (31')
Red cards: - / -